Description

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Context

British startup Pulsar Fusion is developing a nuclear fusion powered rocket called Sunbird which aims to revolutionize interplanetary travel by drastically reducing travel time to planets like Mars and Pluto.

About Sunbird

Feature	Details
Potential Speed	Up to 805,000 km/h (faster than NASA’s Parker Solar Probe)
Expected Demonstration	Orbital test planned in 2027
Impact	Reduces travel time to Mars by nearly half; Pluto in 4 years
Goal	To develop a practical and sustainable propulsion system for deep space

What is Nuclear Fusion?

Fusion is the process of combining light atomic nuclei like hydrogen isotopes to form heavier nuclei releasing vast amounts of energy.

Occurs naturally in stars including our Sun.

Fusion is cleaner than fission

Produces minimal radioactive waste.
Has no risk of a chain-reaction meltdown.
Offers higher energy output.

Nuclear Propulsion Technologies

Feature	Nuclear Thermal Propulsion	Nuclear Electric Propulsion
Working Principle	Uses reactor to heat liquid hydrogen, turning it into plasma for thrust	Converts reactor heat to electricity to power ion thrusters
Thrust Type	High thrust, low efficiency	Low thrust, high efficiency
Speed Build-Up	Faster acceleration in short term	Gradual build-up of high speed over long distances
Historical Background	Ground-tested since 1955, mature technology	Modern, with recent R&D emphasis
Key Components	Reactor core, LH₂ fuel tank, nozzle	Reactor, generator, heat pipes, ion thrusters
Use Cases	Heavy payload launches, interplanetary transfers	Deep space missions, long-duration voyages
Power Source Flexibility	Solely nuclear	Can work with solar or nuclear sources